Rome, December 23, 2025 – Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) has levied a fine exceeding €255 million ($300 million) against Ryanair, alleging the airline abused its market dominance. The core of the dispute? Blocking or restricting travel agencies from offering bundled flight options with other airlines or services, a practice that regulators say ultimately harms consumers.
Ryanair Accused of Anti-Competitive Tactics
The Italian regulator claims Ryanair actively worked to limit consumer choice and stifle competition in the airline market.
- The alleged anti-competitive practices spanned from 2023 and continued at least through April 2025.
- Ryanair reportedly used facial recognition and account blocking to target bookings made through travel agencies.
- The AGCM asserts Ryanair attempted to force partnership agreements on online travel agencies (OTAs).
- Ryanair plans to appeal the ruling, calling it “legally baseless.”
According to the AGCM, Ryanair attempted to prevent or complicate travel agents’ ability to purchase its flights—either individually or as part of a package with other travel services. This strategy, described by the agency as “an abusive strategy to hinder travel agencies,” aimed to steer customers toward direct bookings on the Ryanair website.
“Ryanair rolled out facial recognition procedures on its website aimed at users who purchased their ticket through a travel agency,” the authority stated. The airline then “totally or intermittently blocked booking attempts by travel agencies on its website, for example, by blocking payment methods and mass-deleting accounts,” further restricting access and competition.
The regulator’s investigation revealed that Ryanair eventually “imposed partnership agreements” on online travel agencies (OTAs). To incentivize these partnerships, Ryanair allegedly blocked bookings from non-compliant agencies and launched a public campaign labeling them “pirate OTAs.”
Ryanair Vows to Fight the Ruling
Ryanair swiftly announced its intention to appeal the substantial fine, dismissing it as “bizarre/unsound.” “Ryanair has campaigned for many years to offer consumers the lowest fares by booking directly on the ryanair.com website,” the airline said in a statement.
The airline pointed to a January 2024 ruling by the Milan Court, which it claims affirmed that its direct distribution model “undoubtedly benefit[s] consumers.”
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary characterized the AGCM’s decision as “legally baseless” and argued that it “undermines consumer protection and competition law.” He confidently predicted the ruling would be overturned on appeal. “Ryanair has grown rapidly in Italy — and in many other markets across Europe — by always offering the lowest air fares in every single market in which we operate,” O’Leary added.
